Messi snubbed as Ronaldo, Bale vie for UEFA award

Lionel Messi has been snubbed for the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award in favour of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Antoine Griezmann.

Real Madrid stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale as well as Atletico Madrid attacker Antoine Griezmann make up the final list.

Messi was not even placed fourth in the long list of 10 candidates, as his Barcelona's teammate Luis Suarez also beat him coming in fourth also after scoring 40 goals as Barcelona won La Liga.

As in previous years, journalists from each of UEFA's 55 member associations provided an initial list of their five best-ranked players, with the first receiving five points, the second four, and so on.

The ten players with the most points advanced to a second round of voting, which has determined the three finalists named today.

The jury will cast their votes for the winner during the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on Thursday 25 August. Past editions have been won by Lionel Messi (2011, 2015), Andrés Iniesta (2012), Franck Ribéry (2013) and Ronaldo (2014).

Other positions

4 Luis Suárez (Barcelona & Uruguay) – 29 points

5 Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina) – 25

6 Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus & Italy) – 19

7 Pepe (Real Madrid & Portugal) – 9

8 Manuel Neuer (Bayern München & Germany) – 6

9 Toni Kroos (Real Madrid & Germany) – 5

10 Thomas Müller (Bayern München & Germany) – 2